Fishing Bray Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Bray Lake lies in Itasca County, in Minnesota. What surrounds it is lake country bush. Roughly 176 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Around 2.4 miles of margin, front to back. It ranks high for size among our Itasca County listings. Keewatin lies 11 miles from the water. Coleraine is 14 miles away, with Hibbing at 16 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Bray Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. County-wide records name yellow perch, largemouth bass and northern pike. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. The near bank of Bray Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 66°F and January near 5°F on the long-run figures. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. Ice usually gives way near mid April, and forms again about late November. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. It sets the rhythm of the year at Bray Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Grass Lake, 0.7 miles out. Treat Bray Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.